New national organisation to push for renewable energy
November 12, 2009
A new national organisation to push for renewable energy generation across rural and regional Australia is to be formed.
The proposal emerged at a national conference on rural and regional Australia's energy future which ended in Bendigo on Tuesday.
In their final communique, more than 200 conference delegates said a national peak body was needed to advocate for ways to overcome barriers to renewable energy generation which they said held the key to jobs in country areas.
Summarising the 2 and a half day conference, hosts and organisers Prof John Martin and Cr Keith Reynard of Bendigo said the need to roll out renewable energy generation across non-metropolitan areas was urgent.
"This is a key to boosting jobs and guaranteeing energy to country areas as the pressure builds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," they said.
"Emissions trading is looming and offers regional Australia a great opportunity to
Build localised clean energy generators that rely on sun, wind, underground air, natural gas and bio-waste and bio-energy.
"We have the space and the will but we need support. We need to lift barriers to make this smart electricity grid work. We also need to engage the disengaged on this issue and that requires a massive education effort."
Victorian Premier John Brumby told the conference dinner his government wanted to see more renewable energy generation across the state, including more large scale solar and gas plants and more community initiatives.
Delegates at the conference included regional leaders from the Federal, local and state governments, community renewable energy alliances and business and industry associations as well as the education sector.
Their 10-point communiqu?lso called for increased Renewable Energy Targets. It said policies must change to ensure targets achieve their intended levels of renewable energy generation.
Cr Reynard said conference organisers would seek expressions of interest from stakeholders across Australia to form a steering committee to establish the proposed organisation.
Media contacts
Prof John Martin, Director, Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University, Bendigo campus 0421 584 313
Cr Keith Reynard, City of Greater Bendigo 0428 581998
